What Archie Miller Said on His Radio Show Monday Night

Indiana coach Archie Miller is glad to have a week to prepare for Purdue so the Hoosiers get re-set after a few tough road losses.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana basketball coach Archie Miller was frank and honest about his team's road trip woes Monday night on his weekly radio start, fretting over his team's lack of physicality in losses at Penn State and Ohio State.

But he's also excited about what lies ahead, and he's grateful to have a week off before playing Purdue on Saturday at Simon Skojdt Assembly Hall. The break is good to get rested a bit and be back on track.

Here are the highlights of what he had to say to radio legend Don Fischer:

• "There are some glaring things that stand out to our staff. Our physiciality really went down and it really showed on Saturday. It was really mind-boggling. It's mental more than it's physical this time of season, and we have to find that second wind.''
• "We're going to have to rally the troops. Obviously, we have a big game on Saturday, (against Purdue) for a lot of reasons.''
• "I think we talk about (leadership) a lot, and we've had really good response after wins and losses all year. We're trying to find a way to function better on the road. It wasn't leadership this week, We just didn't have anyone playing at a high level. For whatever reason, we were all moving in slow motion. 
• "We've got to push through, break through, here in February and push further on because we've still got a lot of good opportunties here in February against a lot of good teams.
• "This is the first time all season we've had a week, and this is a time where we can get some things cleaned and get your body to recover. Saturday is big. You've got to find a way to win at home and start to string something together. We're going to need a good week.
• "On the road, it's been turnovers that have broken games open. Live ball turnovers have killed us. That broke the game open against Penn State.
• "Joey was sick as a dog all week. He was sick at Penn State and really sick on Saturday. He's been our most consistent rebounding guy, and we need to get him feeling better.
• "Saturday is a different deal, the Purdue game. It's the top of the list, and our games have been really fierce here against them. Of all the games that we've played against them so far, this one means the most with so much at stake. You want to put your best foot forward for sure.
• "Jerome (Hunter's) confidence continues to grow. In January, guys have been sick or hurt and he's been throwing in there and he's done a nice job. You're really starting to see what he can do on the offensive end. He's been able to get to the basket too. He's been a bright spot here the last month,.
• "He's fought the good fight, because it hasn't been easy. Jerome loves basketball, and he can play all day long. He wants to do well, and he's not afraid to compete. The better he gets, he really helps our team.
• "It's an odd year, it's difficult everywhere you go on the road. This league is the deepest league in America, and you're always going into tough places. It's been very difficult on everybody.

Miller was also excited to talk about the 1980 Indiana team that will be honored on Saturday against Purdue. The team, with Isiah Thomas, Mike Woodson, Randy Wittman, Butch Carter, Ted Kitchel and more.

• "For me growing up, when I was growing up, Isiah Thomas was the guy. I wore number 11 because of him.''

• "Mike Woodson had a long NBA career and he's been a longtime respected coach, too. He's so easy to talk to and get along with. This is about the fourth time he's been around.